The Influence of Interpersonal Relationships and Disability Acceptance on Self-Esteem of Unemployed Disabled People and The Mediating Effect of Self-Efficacy: Multiple Group Comparison Analysis of Disability Degree

Abstract

This study aimed to identify important factors affecting employment and willingness to work for the unemployed disabled people. The effect of interpersonal relationships and disability acceptance of employed disabled people on self-esteem and the mediating effect of self-efficacy were verified. A multi-group comparison was conducted to analyze the difference according to the degree of disability (severe and mild). For the data analysis, the 2nd wave 6th data of the employment, a panel survey for the disabled was used. Among the economically inactive population, 1,579 panelists who responded to the main variables of this study were analyzed. The results of this study were as follows. First, the self-esteem of unemployed disabled people was directly affected by their interpersonal relationships and disability acceptance and indirectly affected by self-efficacy. Second, the effect of interpersonal relationships on self-efficacy was greater in people with severe disabilities than in people with mild disabilities. Based on the research results, programs and policies on disability acceptance, interpersonal relationships, and self-efficacy improvement were proposed to improve self-esteem.